Maggi Andersen's Blog, page 83

Free read available at New Concepts Publishing

http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/books/AWickedLady.html

My lovely book cover is up for a vote.

http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com/search/label/June%202011%20AR%20Book%20Cover%20Award%20Nominees

MY ANTHOLOGY REGENCY BUCK IS IN PRINT!

REGENCY BUCK ANTHOLOGY
Three novellas
* HOW TO TAME A RAKE
*STIRRING PASSIONS
*LOVE AND WAR
Buy link:  http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/books/RegencyBuck.html

 Available individually in e-book form




How To Tame A Rake
It was plain to see from the moment Wilhelmina arrived at his country estate that the devastatingly handsome Blake, Viscount Dangerfield, disapproved of most everything about her.

The codicil to his father's will came as an unpleasant shock to Blake, Viscount Dangerfield. He had no desire to tie himself down at all, let alone to Wilhelmina--a skinny urchin, barely out of the schoolroom, with mousy hair, no bosom, and a hoydenish disposition.

Stirring Passions:
Lord Laurence, Katherine Kilgarth's childhood companion, has certainly grown up into a stuffy young man! Time was when he would've been as intrigued by the strange going's on at Broughton Hall as she was, but she had no intention, whatever he said, of simply ignoring the intriguing mystery.

Love And War: 
She couldn't accuse him of paying her Spanish coin! Gyles Devereux made it clear he had no wish to marry at all but was constrained by his circumstances. She could not be expected to keep refusing Lord Devereux, she thought crossly. She was only flesh and blood after all. What woman on earth could resist the pleas of a man such as Devereux?

Talking with fans Georgian style.

Welcome ANNE WHITFIELD Historical Fiction writer

Amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.com/House-Women-Ann...
http://annewhitfield.blogspot.com
Hi Anne, tell us a bit about your book.
It's set in Yorkshire, an English county I love, and where my family originates from.

Blurb
Leeds. 1870. Lonely and brokenhearted, Grace Woodruff fights for her sisters' rights to happiness while sacrificing any chance for her own.

The eldest of seven daughters, Grace is the core of strength around which the unhappy members of the Woodruff family revolve. As her disenchanted mother withdraws to her rooms, Grace must act as a buffer between her violent, ambitious father and the sisters who depend upon her. Rejected by her first love and facing a spinster's future, she struggles to hold the broken family together through her father's infidelity, one sister's alcoholism, and another's out-of-wedlock pregnancy by an unsuitable match.

Caring for an illegitimate half-brother affords Grace an escape, though short-lived. Forced home by illness and burdened with dwindling finances, Grace faces fresh anguish –and murder– when her first love returns to wreck havoc in her life. All is not lost, however. In the midst of tragedy, the fires of her heart are rekindled by another. Will the possibility of true love lead Grace to relinquish her responsibilities in the house of women and embrace her own right to happiness?


Why did you choose to write historical romance? I love history and I love romance. It's logical to put the two together. I enjoy setting up a time in history and letting the characters fall in love. It's a perfect combination.


What did it feel like to get your first acceptance?My first acceptance was in 2005 and it was very exciting, very surreal. I was surprised someone liked my story, that they felt it worthwhile spending time on it and publishing it. Each acceptance since then still is exciting and I'm very happy people like my stories.


What is the best (and worst) part of the writing process?The best part is finishing a story. It's nice to get it out of my head. The worst part would be editing over and over until I'm sick of it.


How long does it typically take you to finish a story?My historical novels take about 8 months for the first draft to be completed. But it also depends if I have edits and promoting of other stories to do, too, which eats up time.


Do you have any favorites out of the characters you've written?That's a hard question. I think Kitty McKenzie will always been a firm favourite, I spent a long time writing her two books and loved every minute of it. But every heroine and hero have a special place in my heart. I love them all.

Which writers inspired/influenced your work?Catherine Cookson was the author I adored from age of 14. Then in my twenties I started reading another UK author, Audrey Howard and he stories made me laugh and cry and I can't put them down once I start reading them.


Was there ever a point in your career where you said, "Yeah, I can do this!"?I think the first time was when I got good reviews back for my first couple of books and when people emailed me or spoke to me and said they really enjoyed my stories. That's an amazing feeling I will never grow tired of.


Was there ever a point in your career where you almost gave up writing?Yes! Lots of times. Especially in 2008 when my agent died and I've been struggling to get another one since. I'm grateful to be published by small publishers who are happy to take a chance on an author, unlike the larger publishers.


How do you come up with your stories?Thankfully, stories just appear in my head without any hard work on my part. Sometimes I'll get an idea from a research book, or a movie, or a painting, but mostly the characters are suddenly in my head without me realizing it.


What do you do to overcome writer's block?I rarely suffer from writer's block. If I've written myself into a corner, I'll go back and re-read previous chapters to see where I went wrong, and then I'll start editing and deleting until I'm back on track again.


Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?Write from the heart. Learn the craft of writing fiction, but don't spend too much time at the start wondering if you're writing a masterpiece. It's the story what counts. Once you've finished the book, put it aside for a while and let it rest for a few weeks or a couple of months. Then, you can edit it again with fresh eyes or put it through a critique group.


Thanks for dropping by, Anne and giving us a glimpse of your fabulous new book.

**** Another Great review of Dog Head Code

Maggi Andersen's Dog Head Code is a fun mystery suitable for all ages.

When Joe inherits an old book from his Great Uncle Jake, it lures him into a mystery involving a code, a marked map, and an ancient Aztec god. With his mom, teacher, and friend at his side, they travel to Dog Head Island. While the island slowly gives up its secrets, they have to find a way to survive.

Dog Head Code spans several months while we delve into the enigma surrounding the book's code and map. Andersen does an excellent job letting us know about the characters through the span of the book. It does remind me of reading Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy novels as a child. The revelation in Dog Head Code brings back fond memories of Scooby Doo Mysteries. I particularly love the Aztec elements within as well. Andersen shows she did her research.

Overall, I would recommend Dog Head Code. It's a fun, touching story with a great mystery element to it.

Nice Review for Dog Head Code

3.5 Stars for Dog Head Code


Dog Head Code
Maggi Andersen
YA Mystery
Summary:
Joe Jones has two things on his mind – finding treasure and winning Annie Larson's heart. Trouble is hunting for treasure means digging up trouble, and Annie's heart has a parental lock on it, even the Hulk can't break.
Joe's treasure hunt begins after inheriting an old book containing a map from his Great Uncle Jake. The map points to Dog Head Island. With the help of friends and family, Joe travels to Dog Head Island searching for buried treasure. But in this isolated, spooked-out place, danger slithers around like snakes. Joe is terrified of snakes.
It is said that a ghostly green light haunts Old Jake's place. Ghost or not Joe is determined to find that treasure, but what he finds is not silver and gold. What he finds can either make him grow up real fast, or not allow him to grow up at all.
Review
I am a huge Scooby-Doo fan, so the first thing to attract me to this story was the excitement of a ruh-roh mystery. And it was not disappointing. It had all of the elements of a good mystery. For example, it had an ancient book left to Joe by his Great Uncle Jake. It contained a treasure map. It had a ghost haunting the mysterious Dog Head Island and old Uncle Jake's house was completely gothic, and filled with secret passageways. The ending was fast paced, and placed Joe from one terrifying situation to another. Zoinks!
Adding to the mystery was a very sweet, innocent romance. Even though tastefully written, it often conflicted with the main plot in the quest to find the buried treasure. It took a long time for Joe to make it to Dog Head Island. In the meantime, I found myself rooting for Annie at times I probably should have been rooting for Joe to find treasure. Nonetheless, Joe's affection and need to protect Annie, often at the risk of his own life, were everything a young aspiring hero should be. Even though I felt his character could be developed more, I liked him. His intentions were noble.
If you are looking to read a YA romance with buried treasure, this is your gem.

RULES OF CONDUCT now in print!

Buy Link: http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=Rules+of+Conduct

RULES OF CONDUCT
4 Hearts from THE ROMANCE STUDIO: "Plain and simple, this is one sweet romance full of adventure and mystery that shouldn't be missed."

HE IS A MAN OF HONOR
The Duke of Vale is destined to marry the woman his parents have chosen for him. But he cannot forget the beautiful and mysterious woman he calls Viola.
SHE IS A WOMAN OF SECRETS
After losing her memory, Viola knows only of her Classical education, and her love for the Duke of Vale. In her flight from danger, she has broken all the rules of conduct. As she falls further in disgrace and her choices narrow, she must fight for what is hers.
Excerpt:
Before breakfast the next morning, Viola walked the
grounds with Ulysses, pausing for the little dog to stop and
sniff here and there. He enjoyed these outings and came to
expect them. She wandered over the soft lawns to the folly, a
romantic arrangement of ancient looking columns covered in
creeper with a small pool that the dog drank from. It was cool
here and quiet and she liked to be alone with her thoughts.
The dog raised its head and the rippled water reflected a
figure behind her. Viola turned.
"I saw you walk down from the house. You come here
every day, don't you?" Hugh said.
Her heart picked up its beat as it always did in his
presence. His dark hair looked unbrushed and he was dressed
as if he'd rushed into his clothes.
She smiled. "I like the early morning."
"I remember how you liked to walk at Vale Park."
"And you like to ride."
He ran his hand through his hair, but it still flopped onto
his forehead. Viola's fingers itched. "I'll go presently."
"I wish I could ride with you." It was out before she knew
it.
His eyes brightened. "You might do so. If we take a groom
with us."
"I can't though. I've promised to go on a carriage ride with
Lady Clarissa. She wishes to show me more of the
countryside."
"I see. Perhaps another time." He squatted to give Ulysses
an indifferent pat. "I miss my dogs."
"They must miss you too." Any living creature would miss
him, she thought.
He straightened and looked at her. "Do you enjoy your
stay here?"
"I do. Very much." She wondered where this was leading.
He glanced around. "It's very...ordered, isn't it?"
"Yes," she said, completely in accord with his thinking, but
unable to say so.
"A credit to my brother-in-law."
"Yes."
"And Vale Park is wilder, isn't it. I've never sought to tame
it."
"Wild, yes, gloriously so," she almost whispered.
There came a pause, and her glance slid away, when she
was unable to bear the look in his eyes. Wanting to go to him
and kiss him, and run her fingers through his hair. He stood
so tall, like a strong oak, and yet...and yet.
His eyes went to her mouth and he took a step forward.
Ulysses, perhaps sensing a change in the atmosphere, gave a
high-pitched bark.
Hugh shook his head. "I'd better get that ride in before
breakfast," he said, moving away.
"Yes," Viola said weakly. "It's going to be a lovely day."
He stared back at her. "Lovely," he echoed.

*****Review House Of Women - A historical romance/saga by Anne Whitfield

I loved this book. I was rooting for Grace the whole way through as she struggles to care for her sisters and find her place in the world. I find Anne Whitfield's books dramatic and very human, depicting the deeply felt emotions of betrayal, infidelity and disappointments in love. She brings the Victorian era to life beautifully, with accurate depictions of a Victorian household in Yorkshire in 1870 and the restrictions faced by women who are at the whim of tyrannical men. Each of the sisters is strongly drawn and have their own stories to tell. I couldn't put it down. Very nice hero in this too.

Review of Where Shadows Dance by C.S. Harris

I have read all the books in C.S. Harris' series and while this wasn't a favourite, I enjoyed it very much. Harris' grasp of the darker side of Regency London is wonderful. Her character's too are fabulous. The hero, Sebastian St. Cyr is cleverly crafted as are her mysteries. This one was quite complicated, but not nearly as much as the diplomatic maneuverings of the summer of 1812 as the author points out in her Author's note. I would have liked more of Sebastian and Hero together, but the ending was lovely. Harris does great murder and when required, has a delicate touch.